THE HILLS SOUTH OF ÉPERNAY AND THE CÔTE DES BLANCS
The Côte des Blancs, right at the heart of champagne history!
In the Middle Ages, the wines from Mont Ebbon and from Épernay already enjoyed a great reputation.
CHAMPAGNE, NATURE, AND HERITAGE
THE CRADLE OF CHARDONNAY
A veritable treasure of the Champagne vineyards, the Côte des Blancs and the hills south of Épernay stretch over a large territory from the north-east to the south-west with slopes and knolls confining the Brie plateau along a border around fifteen kilometres long.
If the Côte des Blancs has become famous the world over, it is thanks to its capacity for producing champagnes overwhelmingly loved by connoisseurs. Wines from these vineyards are distinguished by their delicate and light aromas with an accent on refinement and finesse.
Twenty or so cellars and houses carrying the "Vignobles & Découvertes" label open their doors to you and reveal the secrets of their champagne over a tasting and/or a visit of their property.
UNESCO & CHAMPAGNE
Since July 2015, the Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars of the Champagne region have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A real expression of the actions of man and nature, it is this alchemy which has allowed an excellent wine to emerge, known as the universal symbol of celebration, festivity, and reconciliation!
The World Heritage Site for the Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars of the Champagne region highlights the representative sites of Champagne region wine-making:
- The hillsides of the Vallée de la Marne from Cumières through Hautvillers to Mareuil-sur-Aÿ,
- Saint-Nicaise hill (and the limestone cellar heritage) in Reims
- The Avenue de Champagne in Épernay.
The starting point for the Route Touristique du Champagne circuit is on the famous Avenue de Champagne at Épernay. The historic capital of Champagne, it has rows of imposing and luxury private residences housing internationally renowned Champagne producers.
This route, running along the hillsides, provides magnificent vantage points overlooking the vineyards and the plain. The vineyards stretch as far as Vertus, where there are still many Middle Age villages.
TO SEE ON THE WAY
- Épernay and the Avenue de Champagne
- Vertus and its historic heritage discovery trail
- The vine garden at Cramant
- The Chocolaterie Thibaut at Pierry
- The Vineyard and Wine Museum at Mesnil sur Oger
COME QUICKLY, BROTHERS, I AM DRINKING THE STARS...
Dom Pérignon
QUIZ
HOW MANY DAYS AFTER BLOSSOMING DO THE GRAPE HARVESTS TAKE PLACE?
- 120 days
- 60 days
- 100 days
ANSWER
Even though weather conditions can have an impact on the time line, in general we need to wait 100 until days after the appearance of the first grapevine flowers for the fruit to reach maturity. The official opening and closing dates for the grape harvests are set each year by a prefectural order.
YOUR CONTACT
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EPERNAY TOURISM OFFICE - 7 AVENUE DE CHAMPAGNE - 51200 EPERNAY - +33 3 26 53 33 00 - WWW.OT-EPERNAY.FR
SELECTION OF GETAWAYS
Avenue de Champagne
Avenue de Champagne is home to the prestigious houses which produce and trade in this world-famous wine. Many 19th-century Renaissance- and...
Musée de la Vigne et du Vin
A collection of typical Champagne region style machines from the 18th and 19th centuries, a collection of presses from the 17th, 18th and...
Jardin de Vignes de Cramant
The concept of vine gardens allows a return to the roots of Champagne by promoting the terroir and its winegrowing identity. In this way...
Parc Vix
The entrance to the park is dominated by a monumental bottle and glass. You then continue your stroll along the three ponds. The walk...
Chocolaterie Thibaut
Discover the wonderful world of chocolate, from a cocoa bean to a bar of chocolate, in the middle of subtle aromas and delicious smells...
Château de Pierry
Built in around 1734 by Monseigneur Claude-Antoine de Choiseul-Beaupré, Bishop and Count of Châlons and Peer of France, the history of this...